Thursday, November 13, 2008

Amanda: First of all, I like to read because it entertains me. But I have also begun to realize that I enjoy reading because it takes me away. I stick mainly to sci-fi and fantasy books for the purposes that they take my imagination away. These books take me to another place and let me imagine how I would fit in to that particular world. Like for instance, in Lord of the Rings I am convinced that I would be a dwarf or a hobbit. (Hobbit because I like to eat far too much and have my laid back moments. Dwarf because they are stubborn as hell and are hard workers.) Or in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, I would be a wereleopard. Oh, and in the Green Rider series I could see myself as a rider. In fact, I dressed up as one for Halloween once. Anyway, that is why I enjoy reading so much. It allows my imagination to take flight to another world.

Christine: There are probably as many reasons why I like to read as there are genres of books to pick from. One reason is that I am not creative so I tend to be fascinated by other people’s creativity. I am also not particularly good at expressing myself so I am duly impressed by those who are brilliant wordsmiths. However, my favorite reason to read is that it allows me the possibility of endless adventures. I love to go new places and meet new people and to me reading is simply an extension of that. An extension that expands the possibilities beyond what I could experience in real life. Through reading I can meet someone who died years ago or I can travel to another world entirely by simply stepping through a wardrobe :) Books are doorways that can lead anywhere and that is why I love to read.

Erinn: The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read. - Benjamin Franklin (I tend to do a lot of reading on rainy days…)

Kate: I love to read because to me, it is an escape, a mental break from everyday life. I get to experience life from someone else's point of view as it broadens mine. Also, I love a good romance/mystery/whatever. :)

Katie: I'll be the boring one who says, more than anything, reading is something I like to do to fill time. I don't read because I have a strong desire to become more well-read or to gain some great philosophical insight into the world or to escape the realities of my life; I simply read because it's something to do (which explains why I don't read when I'm busy). My friends and family can tell you that I'm not a particularly outgoing person. I'm perfectly content to sit at home and do absolutely nothing at all. Reading allows me to do that without others thinking I'm totally anti-social. Plus, it's a good excuse to soak in the tub for a while.

Kristin: One of my favorite quotes sums up why I love to read, "Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." ~Mason Cooley I love to travel and visit new places, new cultures, new peoples. So, there are those books that allow me to go to those places when I am home. But some places are only allowed to be visited in the imagination. Reading takes me to those places, and I love the journey! The best part of reading is going to these places, living in the strange and adventurous situations and making friends along the way. You are right there, hearing, "Let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." ~Albus Dumbledore And then, there are the books that change me and impact my life. Those books encourage me through this lovely thing called life and help me grow into the person I am and will become. So, as a very wise man once said, "There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island. ~ Walt Disney

Mandie: Why I Love to Read: A List (Because I Love Lists Too!)1) Escape- I know it's cliche, but isn't it nice to escape the real world for a little while?2) Great Words- In real life people don't use all the great words that are used in books. How often do you hear people use awesome words like indefatigably?3) Creativity- I love being blown away by the sheer volume of creativity that some people possess. I'm mean, where did J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien come up with that stuff?4) Details- Books don't usually face the same time constraints as TV shows or movies, so there is lots of rooms for details. Two hundred extra pages of back-story? Yes, please!5) Trivia- I love trivia and I'm competitive. The more I read, the more questions I can answer. (Guess who is currently ranked #60 out of over 100,000 participants on the Goodreads.com book trivia quiz?)

Regina: Reading has always been a big part of my life. I remember well the days when I would hide under the covers with a flashlight, or hope for a car to follow us on the ride home so I could read by its headlights. When I discovered the land of storytelling, I was hooked. Stories have layers…at least they do for me. In a story, I can examine a hard issue from a different angle or learn to see through another person’s eyes. I have books that are just “comfort food”…but the ones that stick with me are the ones that surprise me with an “ah ha!” moment. And whether that moment comes from fiction or non-, I love when a story can surprise you with a thought you might not have thought before.

Sarah: For me, reading is a way to live a different life than my own and experience things that I will maybe never get the chance to do. Reading has allowed me to travel the railroads in a circus, witness breathtaking sword fights and shrieking eels, and fall in love with a family of vampires. This is why I read. Maybe one day someone will read a book about my life and be able to live vicariously through my own experiences, and for their sake, I hope those experiences are just as valuable to them.